Around 25% of the Indian population is infected with TB bacteria, the vast majority of whom have latent rather than active TB. 9 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are added every year world-wide, 2.2  million cases occurs in India making the world’s highest Tuberculosis burden country.

Tuberculosis is a disease with devastating social and economic costs, the enormous burden of the disease in India can be seen by the fact that more and more adults die from TB than any other infectious disease and most of these are avoidable deaths. Hence TB control contributes substantially to the social and economic development of the country by reducing the suffering from TB and preventing untimely deaths of lakhs of Indians in their prime years of life.

The world-wide scenario prompted WHO to observe this year’s World TB Prevention Day on March 24 with the slogan — ‘Reach, treat, cure every one’.

Dr. Sameer Garde, Pulmonologist, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, says “India is fighting a TB epidemic. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death and can be spread through a simple cough or sneeze. Anyone who comes into contact with an individual infected with tuberculosis bacteria is at risk of developing the disease, so one obvious solution is to steer clear of people who are sick, sneezing, and coughing.”

Dr. Sameer Garde suggests following measures to prevent TB infection:

·         People with tuberculosis infection should always cover their mouths when they cough or noses when they sneeze.

·         Maintain good hygiene, wherever you are.

·         Washing hands with a good disinfectant soap.

·         Public spitting is main cause of spreading TB, hence avoid spitting on public places

·         Wear a surgical mask when you’re around other people during the first three weeks of treatment may help lessen the risk of transmission.

·         People with TB should take all medications as required.

·         People at risk for or who have been in contact with people with tuberculosis infection should be tested.

Dr Garde adds “TB is an airborne disease and transmission essentially can be prevented through adequate ventilation and limited contact with patients. Taking preventive steps at the beginning will help to control the spread of tuberculosis infection in the city by almost 60%.”

Source : Lokesh Shastri